Scotrail to upgrade mobile ticketing

Transport firm will improve mobile-based information and ticketing services

Scotrail wants to improve ticket purchasing on the go

Scotrail is set to replace and upgrade its mobile ticketing set-up to simplify purchasing and improve access to travel information.

The company had already been using a system and devices provided by Atos Origin. The improvement plans meant an extension of the relationship with the supplier under a long-term deal.

The initiative will bring in improvements such as faster ticket printing to increase sales on busy trains, options for Wi-Fi or GPRS capability for online transactions and the integration of a 2D barcode scanner for validation of self-print and mobile tickets.

During 2008, Scotrail has issued more than 50 million tickets using its mobile platform. The rollout of the new mobile ticketing devices will be completed by the middle of 2009 across the Scotrail network.

Future enhancements that may be added to the devices include a Bluetooth-enabled pad for chip-and-PIN transactions, which also incorporates a reader for ITSO-based smartcards.

Other possible improvements include a built-in printer for credit card receipts and travel itinerary information, access to real-time train information and a barcode validation database.